City centre retailers dealt 'disastrous' economic blow by severe snow

Heavy snow dealt many retailers a “disastrous day” as they continue to battle through difficult trading conditions.

Heavy snow dealt many retailers a “disastrous day” yesterday as they continue to battle through difficult trading conditions.

Shoppers stayed at home and staff struggled against the elements, as South Wales was hit by blizzard conditions.

Although much of the city centre was cleared of snow by council staff, who gritted and salted pavements and walkways through the day, there were few shoppers and office workers who had made their way to the capital anyway.

Many shops shut their doors early, or did not open at all. And those that did stay open reported disappointing sales as footfall levels remained low through the day.

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, director of business network the Institute of Directors in Wales, said the adverse weather would have a negative impact on retailers.

“While it’s good to see the children enjoying themselves in the snow, the disruption is another blow that business can do without,” he said.

“In a tough month that’s already seen notable retail casualties, the high street is made to suffer further,” he added. “Shoppers stay at home, workers must take a day off to look after children and all manner of services are disrupted.”

Many of Cardiff city centre’s independent shops were closed all day.

Philip Bottrill, manager of the Pen and Paper Stationery Company in Cardiff’s Royal Arcade, said the weather had a negative impact on footfall.

“It has been absolutely horrendous,” he said. “The arcade would generally be heaving by lunchtime, but it has been dead all day.”

He said his staff had been unable to travel to work.

Mr Bottrill said: “Only one member of staff managed to make it to the shop. It has been a disastrous day. I am hoping the weather will improve soon.”

Ensieh Sohrab, a retail assistant at clothing and craft shop Ganesha in the Morgan Arcade, said the weather had taken its toll on profits.

She said:“I would usually have taken a few hundred pounds in a day, but I’ve just been left sitting behind the counter. People haven’t dared venture out to the shops.

“I come from Iran and we have a lot of snowfall, but everything carries on. In Wales, everything seems to grind to a halt.”

Mark Nott, St David’s Centre manager, said most shops had remained open.

“Overall, the centre has been quieter than normal,” he said. “However, we are pleased to have been able to operate as a normal trading day and we expect this will continue over the weekend.

“The majority of our stores and restaurants are trading as normal. Following the recent trend towards colder winters, we have worked closely with the wider city on a winter weather plan and we were well prepared for the snowfall.”

Iestyn Davies, head of external affairs for the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales, said the snow would have a significant impact on local businesses.

“Small businesses effectively lose a day’s trading and it does have an impact on the bottom line of business,” he said.

He said businesses have to accommodate the changing weather in the coming years.

“Climate change is becoming much more of an issue for businesses,” he said.

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